Dorothy Pitman Hughes and Gloria Steinem -- a city hall birthday celebration

[sheclown]

A birthday celebration was held in city hall today to commemorate the 75 birthday of the co-founder of the women's movement, Dorothy Pitman Hughes.  Her partner in history, Gloria Steinem was there to talk about their years together.  It was a fabulous celebration.

[Cheshire Cat]

Awwwww.  I didn't know this. 

[sheclown]

[sheclown]

Some highlights.

Some background.

Dorothy Pitman Hughes moved from Georgia to Harlem in the late 50s.  She told us today that agencies looking for domestic help would pay train tickets for girls.  Gloria told us a story of Dorothy's first day.  She was told to walk the dog.  Dorothy replied "where I come from dogs, know how to walk themselves."

She worked in Harlem as a jazz singer and noticed that children were running the streets without supervision.  Parents, without options for child care, had to leave their children unattended as they worked.  Pitman decided to do something about it and opened up her home to care for children. 

And so began the  New York City Agency for Child Development pioneering child-care.

Shortly afterward Steinem, who was a reporter, interviewed her. 

Steinem told us today about the beginnings of feminism.  She said that she and Dorothy did not know each other very well, but there was the Italian activist who was very passionate about civil rights.  His wife, however, was not allowed to work outside of the house and this was causing great torment in their marriage.  Steinem and Hughes sat him down and asked him why civil rights were reserved for only half of the world's population.  They won him over, and that couple is still married today.

Shortly afterward, Steinem and Hughes hit the road. 

Hughes told us today "white women always talked about the pedestal -- they didn't want to be on the pedestal.  I say 'show me the pedestal.  I want to be on that thing".

 

[sheclown]

[sheclown]

Dorothy Pitman Hughes lives in Jacksonville.

She currently advocates for the community garden located at St. Clair Evan Academy on Moncrief Road.